Miss Earthlife International embraces identity, culture
Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Sunday January 30, 2022 06:00
Maila told Arts & Culture that the pageant will be the first of its kind in Botswana even though the idea came up in 2014. She said the aim was to create a platform where cultures from across the globe are showcased in an international stage promoting cultural exchange and tourism. Maila also said the beauty pageant is open for Batswana women aged between 18 and 28 .
“Since it is an international pageant, all countries will be represented by their nationalities. To enter this pageant, you need to be aware of your culture and know your country well. We are in collaboration with Mr and Mrs Heritage Botswana since they have the same mandate as ours. For this year we will be crowning their top three,” she explained.Even though she revealed that they are collaborating with Mr and Mrs Heritage Botswana who scouted for them, she said next year they will having their own separate auditions. She also said the grand finale will be in November where dates will be communicated at a later date.
As a way of keeping up with the COVID-19 protocols and guidelines to ensure that people are protected from the pandemic, she emphasised that their event will be hosted outdoors. Speaking of the challenges they experience hosting the event, she said there was lack of support from the business community.
“When it is your dream you need to push and never give up because some day one will hear your cry and you will succeed. This international pageant has never occurred anywhere in the world; in the history of all pageantry that culture predominantly forms the fundamental component of the pageant. Miss Earthlife International will bring that for the first time to the international stage,” she said.
“It will be showcasing a fusion of different cultures from across the globe in a single event. Botswana will launch the inaugural pageant as the founding member and later on it will be rolled out to the rest of the world. This will create an opportunity for Botswana as a country to diversify the economy away from the diamond industry and focus on cultural tourism direct foreign investments,” she added.